Rock Show (link) Track and Show Commentaries Commentary Index Shows 61 - 63 Rock Show 61 Today’s show has some haunting music, and some of the tracks are decidedly on the nightmarish or heavy side, ready for Halloween.
I’m starting with one by The Dirty Truckers, from their 2008 album Loose In The Joints. I’ve a wonderful piece of Southern Rock. What’s the difference between a bright sunny day and a rainy one, or not being in love and being in love? They’re a really great band of rockers, here with 2 Different States are The Dirty Truckers
Next is a song with two people perhaps a long way apart wishing that the other person knew just how much they love them. And how no matter what that they will always love them. It’s a single by American hard rock band Shinedown from their 2009 album The Sound Of Madness. If You Only Knew by Shinedown.
The lead track from Danish heavy metal band Mercyful Fate’s 1994 album Time is called very appropriately Nightmare Be Thy Name. Let’s hope it won’t be giving us too many nightmares! Ok, gonna have Nightmare Be Thy Name and Mercyful Fate.
Another one with attitude and a very apt title for today is Scare Me by Slovenian hard rockers Stone Orange, who fly high on abrasive guitars and big choruses. It’s from their 2013 album The Dreamcatcher. Well is this going to scare us? It well might! Stone Orange with the nightmarish Scare Me.
Welsh metalcore mob or punk metal band We The Deceiver manage to sound both chilling and destructive at the same time on the title track to their 2013 debut EP The Borders Between Us. We The Deceiver really are something more than just another average young band; they’re almost at the top of their game after just one mini-album, and here is probably the best track on the album. Let’s see how much we can get chilled or super-cooled! The Borders Between Us and We The Deceiver.
American band Boston aren’t renowned for psychedelic tracks, but here’s a haunting enough psychedelic number of theirs, a US #1 hit single from their 1986 album Third Stage, though the song was recorded six years before it ‘s eventual release. Have . . . you . . .seen . . . or . . . heard . . .Amanda and it’s by Boston!
Some kinds of song however sweet musically express a different nightmare, that of breaking up, as in Ralph Mctell’s words ‘let me down easy, let me down slow’. Unfortunately we can never know whether that special person we meet will or won’t feel the same way we do. And, as from Gene Cotton’s 1975 album Rain On, and the track is It's Over Goodbye with Gene Cotton. Oh, what a nightmare!
Roulette are a really great Melodic Rock band from Sweden! I’ve another track from their 2008 Better Late Than Never album. Ever loved someone and just hoped and kept hoping after all the years that they might love you, sometimes for real, more often in vain? Some classic AOR from Roulette with Only The Strong.
Next is a hauntingly beautiful track from Gorillaz’ debut self-titled album. The album reached number three in the UK, and was an unexpected hit in the U.S., hitting number 14 and selling over ten million copies worldwide. One of the tracks, Slow Country starts off with some Halloweeny noises! By Gorillaz. Great track!
Rory Gallagher is right up there with the best, something I can really attest to having seen him live. It’s appropriate for the time of the year to remember him and some of his great music, as he’s no longer with us, except in our thoughts and memories. And a very fine track this is too, from his 1978 and excellent Photo Finish album, it’s The Mississippi Sheiks and it’s by Rory Gallagher.
Well we’re going Hither and Thither again very fitting again especially for trick-treating, and it’s Southern Irish rock band O Emperor from their 2010 Hither Thither album, and yes we do get leaves blowing around everywhere right through to December, the title of the track of theirs I’m playing! December and O Emperor band.
I do like blues-based rock, probably more than any other kind of rock, which also means I like Swedish blues rock band Lemon Bird more than most. In fact if a rock band can’t do any blues-based material they are usually much the poorer for it and very often a much poorer band too because of it. So let’s have a listen to, from their 2010 album Hangman and the Jury and yes we do spend much time on theLook Out For Love and it’s by Lemon Bird.
Have to listen to the next one upside down for maximum effect, well the band Beaches is from Oz country! And Australia does have plenty of beaches! Ok, their 2010 album is She Beats and the track “Out of Mind” pretty much sets every influence Beaches has out on the table for a deceptively complex guitar epic, with enough memorable guitar riffs for four songs here, never mind just the one. Out Of Mind Beaches
"Someday I'll Be Saturday Night" is a single by American Rock band Bon Jovi on their 1995 greatest hits album Cross Road and reached #7 in the UK charts. It is about optimism in the face of adversity, using some graphic illustrations of life, luck and survival, looking forward to when times are better. Ok, Someday I'll Be Saturday Night Bon Jovi.
Defy all are a Canadian heavy metal band, who’ve released their first self-titled EP this year. I’m playing from the EP their punk metal number The Reason Why by Defy All, and it’s a terrific track too!
The Stereophonics latest and 2013 Graffiti On The Train album marks a shift in musical style, though as always with them there is some very commercial music as well on the album. I’ve the title track to play today, and it’s one of the best tracks on the album! Graffiti On The Train and The Stereophonics
Four great French guys met up in Indonesia to form the rock band The Shaggy Dogs, and as we’ll find out from the next track, it’s very fortuitous for us all that they all met up and got together as a terrific rock band! How could I not have one from their 2006 album One Runs At Midnight, the bluesy Meet Me By The Lion with The Shaggy Dogs band and some exceptionally fine guitar play!
Well the next one could almost be called Primal Scream, in fact it’s titled Primal Dream! It’s by Italian band Belladonna from their 2013 Shooting Dice With God album. It’s a refreshing mix of rock noire, almost gothic theatrical hard rock that is as dramatic in effect as it is sweeping in style. The Eerie and v e r y Spooky! Primal Dream and Belladonna
I as I’ve said before, do so like the Russian rock band Louna (L O U N A). They’re a tremendous rock band who churn out the most terrific and delicious rock music! This an eerie creepy number indeed from their 2013 album Behind A Mask. It’s Louna with Storming Heaven .
Train band re-issued their 2012 California 37 album as California 37: Mermaids of Alcatraz Tour Edition with three extra tracks including today’s, as an acknowledgement of the fact of it having been written almost entirely while the band were on tour, over a three year period. And the track for today is To Be Loved by Train band. Yes and oh what it is to be loved, if we are so lucky for it to be true!
Well another one next with more than a Halloween taste or touch to it. Slaughter’s 1995 Fear No Evil album was preceded by lots of troubles and controversy around the band. If you want to stay up late on Halloween you could do worse than listen to this heavy but melodic album that has some quite catchy numbers on it, but I wouldn’t play Unknown Destination around midnight, and Slaughter band. Chills and shivers big-time!
On a much lighter note, very McFly-ish is a hauntingly beautiful track from American rock band Extreme who reached the height of their popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It’s from their 1991 album Extreme II: Pornograffitti , and sometimes loving someone and showing them love needs far more than just words. So, More Than Words by Extreme band.
Bit too long an intro, well not that long, but here’s a stormer of a rock’n roll number to bring on Halloween! Certainly one for a bit of late-night partying! Airbourne, with a U are an Aussie rock band and so far the most successful tribute act to the rock band AC/DC, though they write most of their own material. Here’s one of their own numbers from their 2013 and third album Black Dog Barking. Are youReady To Rock ? with Airbourne band.
Next, Ah, AOR, but what a dreamy melody! From the original Surrender band’s 1991 re-release in 2005 with three bonus tracks, Better Late Than Never album, one of the best melodic rock AOR albums ever! The band had soon split up, but the members have continued with other bands. It was a trail of mystery to find the band members, and this track which was also later released by Take 5 played a large part in locating them! And the track is Sunrise Goodbye by New York Surrender band, not the Aussie or California outfits of more recent times.
Well I’m closing today’s show with a bluesy melodic number from Wishbone Ash - more ultra dreamy stuff, better to end up on a high note in the run-up to Halloween. It’s a very prog rock number their very reminiscent of The Allman Brothers band from Wishbone’s 2006 Clan Destiny album. Heady, head in the clouds stuff indeed! Your Dog and it’s by Wishbone Ash. Rock Show 62 The opening song today is about growing into the changing trends in the world and how time is moving so fast. It’s all about getting accustomed to change in the new world, marking the transition from the 1900s to the 2000s, and is from Gorillaz’ 2001 debut self-titled album. Ok, 19-(to) 2000 and Gorillaz.
The next song is about two first loves who dated in high school. They obviously got separated or broke up in high school and dated other people but still loved each another from a distance and then met up again 10 years on and perhaps now can mend each other’s intervening life’s bruises. Ok getting over Bruises by Train band from their 2012 California 37 album.
Italian rock band Belladonna’s 2013 Shooting Dice With God has some choice tracks on it, and love has of course many verses to it, whether in words, deeds or silent contemplation. Hence Multiverse Love from Belladonna, a symphony or least some symphonic rock from Belladonna.
Swedish AOR/Melodic rock band Roulette not to be confused with the emo/hardcore band called Russian Roulette nor the American hard rock band with the same name,recorded their first album Better Late Than Never in 2008 though released in 2011. From the album, here’s the track Run Girl and the Swedish Roulette band.
Wishbone Ash by 2006 with their Clan Destiny album were almost in another incarnation with just Andy Powell remaining of the original members. But there’s one track on the album that very much reminds me of the 1970s Wishbone Ash from Argus and Pilgrimage days. It’s called The Raven, and it’s by Wishbone Ash. Good stuff!
Australian rock band Airbourne spelt with a U gave us their third album Black Dog Barking in 2013. Like its name, it’s a really sharp album from which I’ll deservedly have more tracks in coming weeks. Here’s the second track on the album Animalize with Airbourne Aussie band.
Bruce Willis isn’t a name we’d normally associate with rock music, but British rock band Cage The Gods looked for inspiration in explosions on YouTube, and it just so happens a lot of them, not surprisingly feature Bruce Willis. This one titled Bruce Willis (My Time Is Now) is right up to the minute from their October 2013 All I Ever Wanted EP by Cage The Gods band.
Another one next from Gene Cotton’s 1976 Rain On album. What a pity we haven’t had much more from him over the years, as it’s a tremendous album in its own way. And what better title than My Love Comes Alive and Gene Cotton.
A California group in 1971 called themselves the Waldos, because "their chosen hang-out spot was a wall outside the school"! They are still about, believe it or not and can be found on YouTube, sometimes playing alongside Walter Lure, who played with them too sometimes in their earlier days. . They released one album, Rent Party in 1994 and here from the album is Sorry with The Waldos.
I’ve a good one next from Irish band O Emperor’s Hither Thither album. Perhaps I’ll start to pronounce that right after all this practice. I’m always partial to good Irish rock music, especially when it’s this good! Ok, it’s To The Sea with O Emperor band.
"Bad Medicine" is a US #1 single by American rock band Bon Jovi, written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child. It's from the band's 1988 album New Jersey. Didn’t do quite so well over here, just reaching the top 20 at #17. Let’s hope it’s not too much Bad Medicine and Bon Jovi.
We don’t seem to have had one of these, an Indian Summer this year, that’s for sure. The next track is Indian Summer though from Welsh in fact Cwmaman Aberdare rock band The Stereophonics’s 2013 Graffiti On The Train album. Well we can dream!
Possibly the best track on the album there with that one! Next I’ve another track by the delightful Kristin Diable and her band The City who are from New Orleans. You can get her 2012 self-titled album at name your price from Bandcamp. Today’s track is called My River and it’s by Kristin Diable & The City.
I’ve a great Southern rock track, country style next. It’s a single from his 1997 album Calm Before The Storm. Well I like calm after the storm too, myself! It all adds up to quite a catchy poppy even number. Take It from Me Paul Brandt.
Black Tide is an American heavy metal band from Miami formed in 2004. They released their debut album, Light from Above in 2008 with three singles, including today's track, also available as a download with the guitar game Rock Band. It’s Warriors Of Time with Black Tide band.
Defy All from Perth, Ontario, are a Canadian heavy punk metal band. They haven’t played too many gigs yet, but they do have a 2012 EP to their credit, and they are definitely going places as a band! This one is called Behind The Wall and it’s by Defy All.
Louna from inside the old Iron curtain are sure doing a tremendously great job of promoting rock music in Russia, while not forgetting us here in the West, with the occasional track in English too. It’s a really fab track from their 2013 album Behind A Mask and titled Inside, by Louna band, all the way from Russia.
The next track is one of those mystery tracks, this time from YouTube, where the credits are mixed and in fact mostly incorrect. Doing some face recognition, I think it’s by a band Red Dawn who may have played under the band name Surrender at some earlier time and is similar to a 1993 track by the band, so I think I’m well right on this. If anyone knows any differently, do let me know! The track from 1986 is Never by Surrender later (got to say question mark) Red Dawn band. It’s a fantastic track anyway!
Ten Ton Brick is the biggest hit single yet by US rock band Hurt. It’s on their 2007 and fourth album titled Vol.II. The album was remixed before release as the original mixer apparently made a right mess of it! One of the band members even felt like throwing a heavy brick at the original sound mixer! OK Ten Ton Brick and Hurt band.
I’m going back to Arcade Fire’s 2010 and third album The Suburbs, but this time for something a little different. It didn’t get anywhere near the singles charts just #22 in the US alternative songs chart, but well worth a listen to never-the-less. We Used To Wait with Arcade Fire band.
Ok, more now from the French band formed in Indonesia The Shaggy Dogs, again from their 2006 One Runs At Midnight album. It’s called Branded 2 ‘cos there’s two tracks on the album titled Branded! Branded 2 by The Shaggy Dogs’
"Man Overboard" is a song by Blink-182 from their live CD The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back!). "Man Overboard" itself, however, is a studio recording. It was released as a single in 2000 and peaked at #2 in the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. Man Overboard band's name was inspired by the song. Man Overboard and Blink 182
I’ve got one next by Slovenian rockers Stone Orange, from their 2013 album The Dreamcatcher. It’s titled somewhat melancholily Nobody Cares, well let’s hope someone does and it’s by Stone Orange
I’m working my way through Rory Gallagher’s 1978 album Photo Finish, and it’s a close call between some of the tracks! They are all terrific! This one is titled The Last Of The Independents and it’s by Rory Gallagher.
I’m finishing with Wrangler Redux today, a terrifically great track from US band The Dirty Truckers from Boston and their wonderfully great 2008 Loose In The Joints album. We all like wearing jeans don’t we! Wrangler Redux and The Dirty Truckers Rock Show 63 I’ve had to find a new lot of rock for today’s show, but I have found 4 tracks I’m surprised I missed before now!
I’m starting today’s show with a slightly different one for a change. There’s a slight edit to how the song ends for a tea-time show. It’s certainly very Gothic in its lyrics and it’s by the British experimental rock band Current 93 from their 1998 album Soft Black Stars. Ok. Let’s have the musically very beautiful A Gothic Love Song and it’s by the very eclectic Current 93.
Flaming June’s 2013 EP is called Rumpelstiltskin & The Perils and Promises of Womanhood. Fictionally Rumpelstiltskin of course provided Gold, but came back later to claim the first-born child as payment. It’s a great track by Louise Hamilton and her backing musicians. Flaming June with the delightful tune Rumpelstiltskin .
In a totally different vein, i’ve a very hard rock track next. American rock band Get Scared formed up in 2008 and they have two albums, four EPs and nine singles released so far. Their first release in 2009 was the EP Cheap Tricks and Theatrics and the one single from the EP, "If Only She Knew Voodoo Like I Do", became an internet success and received attention from Universal Motown Records with a video of the song popular as well. If Only She Knew Voodoo Like I Do and Get Scared band.
Sometimes it’s a bit of fun finding out which is the band’s name and which the track title! With more recent artists and bands it can be even more difficult to find out where they are based or from. US as far as I can gather for Blacklisted Me band not to be confused with the similarly named also US Blacklisted band was originally formed in 2011 with Lexus Amanda and Sammie Jayden under the band name “White Widow”. Their 2011 EP was self-titled and from the EP here’s Blacklisted Me with the lead song Reprobate Romance.
"The Killing Moon" is a single by the band Echo & the Bunnymen from their 1984 album, Ocean Rain. It's one of the band's highest-charting hits, reaching number nine in the UK Singles Chart, and often cited as the band's greatest song. Ian McCulloch has said: "When I sing 'The Killing Moon' I know there isn't a band in the world who's got a song anywhere near that. Right enough Ian! Here’s the video version, The Killing Moon by Echo & The Bunnymen.
I can’t give any more credits for the next one, except to the company Boss Micro’s studio musicians as it’s a sample track on their very popular 4 track mini portable digital recording device. Great tune, never-the-less. Big Dance Boss Micro Studio Musicians.
I heard the one coming up next on a video and liked the tune, but I didn’t know who by or the title, anyways a bit of searching lyrics on some forums turned up trumps. As it happens it’s on YouTube and you can get all six of this Chicago singer-songwriter’s albums free from his website. This one isn’t on the albums, just a 2012 release. Hope Derek Clegg.
"Let Her Go" is a song written and recorded by British folk/rock singer-songwriter Michael Rosenberg known on stage as Passenger, a single from his 2102 and third album All the Little Lights. In early 2013, the song broke through in Europe and Oceania, reaching number-one in many countries. Here’s Passenger with Let Her Go!
Serious is American singer Donna Allen’s first single released in 1986, and is the lead track on her 1986 also first album, Perfect Timing. And is donna Allen serious, you betcha! Ok let’s get Serious and Donna Allen.
Ok, first one I’m surprised not to have played before is this next splendid track by Lou Reed. Walk on the Wild Side" is a Lou Reed song from his 1972 second solo album Transformer and was produced by David Bowie. The song received widespread radio coverage, in spite of some of its content. I believe RCA released an edited version, which in these days and times now seems a bit silly in retrospect. Ok, getting wild, It’s Walk on the Wild Side with Lou Reed.
"Blinded by the Light" is a song written and originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen, although it is mostly known by its 1976 #1 hit cover version recorded by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. It’s on Manfred Mann’s 1976 album The Roaring Silence, which like most of theiralbums has many cover tracks alongside their own songs. Blinded by the Light Manfred Mann and his Earth Band.
Next one surprised at not playing before is the somewhat poignant and melancholy number from Ace. "How Long" is a 1974 song by British group Ace from their album Five-A-Side. It reached #3 in the US and Canada, and #20 in the UK . Lead singer Paul Carrack composed the song on discovering that bassist Terry Comer had been secretly working with other bands. Comer in fact returned to Ace in time to play on the song, so contrary to what we might think, it wasn't actually written about cheating and being unfaithful to a spouse or partner. OK, How Long (Has This Been Going On) by Ace.
But, What Ends When The Symbols Shatter? is an album by Death in June, released in 1992. The first edition was issued as a gold disc in a white digipak with the artwork on the enclosed booklet -somewhat ironically all known copies of this first edition have deteriorated and become unplayable! Thankfully for digital copies! "Little Black Angel", as are three other tracks are covers/re-interpretations of songs from the 1973 People's Temple Choir album He’s Able. Little Black Angel from Death in June.
Then there’s Pink Floyd’s Shine On You Crazy Diamond the third one today surprised at me not playing any of it before! "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is a nine part nearly 35 minute Pink Floyd composition written by Roger Waters, Richard Wright and David Gilmour as a tribute to former band member and band founder Syd Barrett. The song was first performed on their 1974 French tour, and recorded for their 1975 concept album Wish You Were Here. Here’s the most famous part from Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd.
"Where Is My Mind?" is a song by the American alternative rock band Pixies on their 1988 debut album Surfer Rosa. The song was written by band frontman Black Francis , inspired by his experiences while scuba diving in the Caribbean of "this very small fish trying to chase me. I don't know why?" This song was the band's most popular and most successful single making it their signature track. Where Is My Mind?, with the Pixies band.
Couldn't Get It Right is a 1976 song by the Climax Blues Band. The song was written after RCA Records told the Climax Blues Band that there wasn't a hit on their 1976 album Gold Plated and asked them to 'try and write a hit' for the album. They then wrote it, in the words of its bassist Derek Holt, 'from absolutely nowhere' . And it hit the UK #10 spot, and the US #3 spot the following year. It’s a song about the band being on the road. Couldn't Get It Right The Climax Blues Band.
I couldn’t miss out on the next one, Gothic lyrics and a very hauntingly beautiful psychedelic tune and arrangement. Anglo-Dutch experimental rock band The Legendary Pink Dots brought out their 11th album Crushed Velvet Apocalypse in 1990. As it happens, something like 9 out of 10 first marriages are with High school loves or loves started at that age. But what about those that we didn’t for whatever reason, fulfil? Here from the album is The Legendary Pink Dots band and I Love You in Your Tragic Beauty.
"Losin' Your Mind" was the first promotional single from Zakk Wylde’s Pride & Glory band’s 1994 self-titled debut album, Pride & Glory. A music video accompanied the song recorded in the swamps of New Orleans. The song's lyrics deal with witnessing someone falling into drug addiction. Hence the song’s title Losin' Your Mind with Zakk Wylde’s Pride & Glory.
The next song is song is called The Arrival by four fun-loving youngsters’ Canadian band Latka. It’s a single from their gleeful and very excellent bright and breezy 2013 debut album, My Bright Heart, which can be bought on Bandcamp or iTunes. What is life, without a bit of fun? It’s hard not to be put into a good mood after hearing about 30 seconds of this song. Catchy melody with an even better chorus. It’s titled The Arrival by Latka.
"You've Really Got a Hold on Me" is a song written by Smokey Robinson which became a 1962 Top 10 hit single for the Miracles and is one of the Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' most covered tunes. The version I'm playing today is from Cyndi Lauper's 2003 At Last album, an album entirely of cover songs. Ok, You've Really Got A Hold On Me and Cyndi Lauper.
Thought first this next one was by the band The Calling, but on further research turns out to be the song title, by the same band as earlier in the show. Bit of a coincidence for a mix-up, but too late to change anything, as already on CD ready for the show. Anyway this ones from their 1990 album “Nada!”. Ok, Death In June band again, with their song “The Calling”.
"I Will Wait" is a song by English Indie folk rock band Mumford & Sons that was first released in 2012, as the lead single from the band's second studio album, Babel. It's their most successful song to date surpassing their previous biggest hits, "Little Lion Man" and "The Cave". The song is as you might guess from the title about waiting for someone loved, through distance and overcoming all the obstacles that sometimes come with true love. Ok, I Will Wait and Mumford & Sons.
Hangover Music Vol. VI is the fifth album by heavy metal band Black Label Society, released April 20, 2004. It’s a much more mellow affair than any other Black Label Society album, with fans considering it a nod back to Zakk Wylde's solo effort, Book of Shadows, from 1996. It’s about recovering from and escaping depression. Ok, it’s the Queen of Sorrow by Black Label Society.
Into the Labyrinth is the sixth album recorded by US Dead Can Dance duo Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry. It marked a strong shift from the previous albums, putting ethnic music influences at the forefront as is the case in their later albums. And it was the first album completed on their own, without the aid of guest musicians. Things in life change or move on, but then again some familiar things can seem completely fresh and new. Great song, The Carnival Is Over and it’s by duo Dead Can Dance.
I’m closing the show today with the last one I’m surprised hasn’t gotten onto the show before today! "You Really Got Me" is a rock song from 1964 written by Ray Davies and performed by his band, The Kinks. It's their third single, and reached Number 1 on the UK and went on to be Number 7 over there, their US breakthrough hit,establishing them as one of the top British acts to invade the United States, It was later included on the Kinks' debut album, Kinks. It also ranks as the first blueprint song for heavy metal! Well, You Really Got Me The Kinks.
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